BOSSES at a waterways network have urged residents in Worcestershire to take time out to discover some of the county's historic sites.

BOSSES at a waterways network have urged residents in Worcestershire to take time out to discover some of the county's historic sites.

The plea comes as British Waterways, which looks after hundreds of miles of canals and rivers in Worcestershire, has been confirmed by English Heritage as the third largest owner of listed structures in the country.

With scores of prime examples of engineering feats in Worcestershire, including Stourport-on-Severn and the Diglis basin in Worcester, British Waterways wants to encourage even greater numbers of people to visit their local canals and rivers and discover the significance these structures have had on our industrial past.

Elizabeth Turner, British Waterways' heritage advisor, said: "Our local waterways are literally teaming with examples of how the canals brought prosperity to the UK during the 18th Century, and along with their immense educational value for today's children, they also possess a simplicity of form for adults too.

"Weathered stone showing signs of towing lines, mileposts constructed using rival railway companies' materials and literally thousands of locks, bridges and tunnels each hold a story of their own charting the UK's industrial past.

"Of course, the public doesn't need to know the story to enjoy them, they can simply visit a local waterway and spend some time imagining what the past was like."

For more information visit www.waterscape.com or www.british waterways.co.uk